Back Yard: Wildflowers

This wasn't the best year for wildflowers in our yard. We didn't have enough rain this spring for a bumper crop. The few we had were real pretty though.

Indian Blanket, my personal favorite.

Ginger and the Cat

This is Ginger enjoying a relaxing moment off the back patio along with the cat.

Welcome to America!

The Double Magnum has come to America! Appears to be the real deal just like the ones in Turkey and Syria. These things are awesome. We practically lived on them during our 2008 trip to Turkey. I have to admit though that some of the mystique of the Magnum is lost now that it is available at our local Walmart and we don't have to traipse the cobblestone streets of Istanbul to find them.

Take My Picture!

Everywhere we went on our Syrian Trip, people would ask us to take their picture. They wouldn't take no for an answer so we would just go ahead and take it. Some wanted to see in on the camera, and others were just excited to have had their picture taken. Here is a sampling of some of the people that asked us to take their picture:

In Souq al-Hamidiyya, Damascus

In Souq al-Hamidiyya

Castle Qala'at ibn Maan, Palmyra

Near Aleppo Souq

On Streets of Aleppo

Outside Aleppo Citadel

In Aleppo Souq

At Waterwheels of Hama

In Old City of Damascus

Even this guy wanted his picture taken, Aya Sophia in background

She's Back!

Our other world traveler is back after a couple of weeks traipsing around Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Edwina worked in several medical clinics and even pulled a few teeth! She got to spend some time around Iguazu Falls and a bird sanctuary nearby. Details later.

Nearly Ten Years Later... Justice!

Red, White and Blue Ribbons

After the events of September 11, 2001 Edwina tied red, white, and blue ribbons on the antenna of my car. This is what remains of those ribbons today. Below, the flag I flew for many years after 911. Eventually I replaced it with a new one.

My 911 Flag